Premiere of “Voices of the Valley: Stories of How Climate Change is Affecting Our Lives”

A new film, produced by Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) will premiere on Tuesday, November 28 at 6PM in the large meeting room of the Medford Public Library and on Wednesday, December 6 at 2PM at the Ashland Public Library.

Dan Bish struggles with what trees or native plants to stock and recommend in his Talent nursery business as summers get hotter. For farmworkers Maricela Ruelas and Juan Escareño, smoke has become a seasonal ordeal as they toil in the fields.

They are among a dozen Rogue Valley citizens who voice their concerns about climate change in a documentary film created by Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN). The issues raised in the film range from concerns about the damage to forest resources and air quality from wildfires, impacts on health, safety and the local economy from severe storms, and steps each of us can take at home and in our communities to reduce the rate of climate change.

Other people interviewed besides the three named above are:

Ashland activist and mother Sarah Spansail.

Alison Carey and Claudia Alick of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

Suzanne Willow and Lanita Witt, owners of a ranch in the Cascade foothills.

James Shames, medical director for Jackson County Health and Human Services.

University student activist Nicoletta Dinelli of Talent.

Amelia O’Skea, a student at Ashland Middle School, and her teacher Jen Craugh.

Dan Wahpepah, a Native American leader living in rural Jackson County.

Another showing is planned for 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the Ashland branch library main meeting room downstairs.

As part of the “Voices of the Valley” project there also is an exhibit featuring local citizens’ comments on climate change with accompanying portrait pictures at the Ashland library. The exhibit will be up until Saturday, Dec. 9. The library, at 410 Siskiyou Blvd., is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 12-5 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, and 12-4 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Friday.

The documentary film, almost a year in the making, is part of Medford-based SOCAN’s focus on educating the public about climate change, a threat most scientists say is happening at a faster pace today because of human activity. Warming temperatures, more frequent and fiercer storms, and longer fire seasons are among the projected effects, they say.